Community by Design, LLC is a new venture dedicated to promoting a local food culture and economy by exploring alternate models of small-scale agriculture.  On ~58 acres within 15 miles of Portland, we are crafting an experiment in small-scale farming, land ownership, land stewardship, economics, and community. We believe that by reducing the financial burdens of ownership and by sharing resources, young farmers will be able to earn a living and create an abundance that will benefit the greater community.

We are planning for multiple farming families who embrace the philosophy of this project to collaborate together in a multi-stakeholder cooperative in order to practice a truly sustainable and diverse agriculture while building the social and economic structures necessary to support ourselves and our community.

Community by Design LLC has purchased the land and is building the basic infrastructure, modeling the 3rd ethic of permaculture – share and redistribute the surplus – in order to facilitate the first and second ethics– care for the earth, and care for people. The surpluses we bring to the project are the time, energy, financial resources, and design expertise to see it to fruition.

• Because we are passionate about this project.
• We are excited to watch the experiment unfold -- in what are sure to be unpredictable ways -- while we collectively adapt and thrive.
• We believe it is the right thing to do.
• We consider this a long-term investment in a more desirable future for ourselves and our community.

Our overarching goal is to pursue a permaculture and biodynamic approach to farming and land stewardship. We believe the future of farming is in small, diversified polycultures with a balance of annual and perennial crops integrated with animals.  New approaches to social and financial relationships are critical to the success of this project.  Supporting a rural landscape with a greater number of smaller farms will require new working models.  Our hope is that this project can be one such model. It includes three major goals:

1. Farm land conservation: The project will establish an appropriate legal structure to protect and preserve a parcel of land close to Portland that can be used, in perpetuity, for primarily agricultural and permaculture purposes. The project’s charter will provide a fresh approach to ownership, community, and business– providing financial structures and incentives encouraging farmers to become vested in the land on a long-term basis.
2. Economically viable farming community: Craft a small-scale farming community which provides a right-livelihood for farmers to prosper in the long term. Sustaining both themselves and the land, farmers will provide goods, services, and education to the greater community.
3. Education: Act as a learning center where diverse people can come to learn the techniques and skills necessary for a thriving and resilient future.

Ambitious – yes!! This is our commitment to the project: to bring it to reality as quickly and practically as possible, while being thorough and mindful. We appreciate any comments, ideas, and suggestions you have to help the project succeed. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in learning more, please contact us. We look forward to meeting you and learning about your interests!